Avery "Aves" Hartgrove

Avery "Aves" Hartgrove

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Avery Hartgrove was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey and grew up in Willingboro, NJ. At 1 ½ yrs of age he started coordinating beats with his mouth and hands. At the age of 2 he developed his first steady rhythm on his Alvin and the Chipmunks drum set and have been playing in church since. Avery is influenced and supported tremendously by friends, family, and especially his girlfriend. His family has some of Avery’s playing recorded on tape since he was 3 yrs old with their church choir. At this young age, Avery understood his talent was a blessing and gift from God; because of this he began to practice and study throughout his school years. He became drum captain in his High School marching band, involved in advanced concert band, jazz combo, and jazz band; which have taken 1st place consecutively for 3 years at the Berkley School of Music Jazz Competition in Boston, Massachusetts.

After high school Avery went on to North Carolina A&T State University and obtained a bachelors degree in Information Technology. While in college, he auditioned and played with the A&T Jazz Band for 2 years under the direction of Mondre Moffett. He has played and toured with the Neo Black Society Gospel Choir during all 4 years of college; touring in Nassau Bahamas and California. Also during college, Avery played at New Covenant Christian Center church in Greensboro, NC, and played for local artist: R&B and Soul band “No Straight Answer” and gospel artists Rashaunda McNeil and Bryan Lowe aka “Chosen”. Avery also had the privilege of playing with an All Star band, at an annual jazz festival in New Jersey, including saxophonists Bootsie Barnes and Dennis Diblasio and bassists Gerald Veasley.

Currently Avery is a member and musician at Alpha Baptist Church in Willingboro, NJ playing alongside his father, who is the minister of music. Also, Avery is one of the three producers/musicians of the Neo-Soul/Jazz group called “TruVibe” based out of South Jersey. The group is comprised of Violinist “Monique Brooks Roberts” and Keyboardist “Aaron Brooks Roberts”. Their first album was recorded live and will be released at the end of 2009; it is titled “Tru Beginnings”. Check out more from the group at www.truvibeproductions.com and www.myspace.com/truvibeproductions. Avery says “I am grateful for the opportunities and experience I’ve had, I take none of it for granted. I wouldn’t have got this far without staying committed, dedicated, passionate and humble at all times…and there are even greater experiences to come!!”